How to Clean Brass

If you want to learn how to clean brass, here are some tips to consider. Brass is actually

an alloy of copper and zinc. When exposed to air, brass tends to oxidize. This is why a majority of the brass is lacquered to prevent tarnish. There are many polishes available in the market such as Brasso, Twinkle etc which coats the raw metal with a thin film of oil to prevent future tarnishing.

How To Clean Brass: A Little History…

In the ancient times no one knew what zinc was. However they found calamine which is a zinc ore. Hence they combined calamine and copper to make brass. In those days zinc could not be found in its pure form because the technology did not exist to melt it. Thus calamine ore was mixed together with copper and heated in a crucible to make brass.

Brass is used for many purposes today. It is used for decorative purposes as well as practical purposes in handles, latches, knobs, hinges for doors and windows, drawer pulls etc. Brass is a very versatile metal alloy. Musical instrument such as trumpet is made of brass. It is also used to make telescopes, candlesticks, weathervanes, fireplace accessories etc. It is natural for brass to tarnish when exposed to air, hence how to clean brass is the most popular question that arises in every consumers mind.

Tips On How To Clean Brass

The use of brass provides an excellent high class look but it also requires a great deal of maintenance and care because it turns blackish when tarnished. The following are the tips on how to clean brass.

Brass should be protected by coating lacquer to prevent tarnishing.
You should never try to clean brass with any type of abrasive material.
Most of the commercial polishes contain detergents and solvents to remove the tarnish, mild abrasive to polish the metal and a small amount of oil which prevents tarnishing. But the misuse and frequent use of these polishes turns the metal black and discolors its surface. It is a misconception that more polish means more protection.
An adequate amount of polish must be applied and should be spread over the surface of the metal creating a thin film. Then it must be rubbed on the metal in a rapid motion so that the polish is hardened and creates a surface more difficult to discolor or smudge.
Raw brass (brass that is not lacquered) must be cleaned by rubbing it with alcohol. . Commercial cleaners and liquid ammonia is also useful to clean antique brass. Rubbing them with a cloth treated with boiled linseed oil can also polish antique brass pieces. It must be then wiped with a soft cotton cloth.
Brass must be polished with a yellow treated dust cloth. Rub the brass with a cloth treated with olive oil and the brass will look brighter and require less polishing. Olive oil prevents the brass from tarnishing.

You can also take professional help from experts on how to clean brass. If you are working with very old brass items then you can also consult museum experts for advice as they may require special care. (Be sure to consult with a professional cleaner before using any of this information. We are not liable for any damages associated with using the ‘how to clean brass’ tips from this article.)

Disclaimer:
The information listed above is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the the author or publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of this information.